Adventure Cyclist magazine’s official 2017 Holiday Gear Guide is live thanks to our magazine people Nick Legan, Dan Meyer, and Alex Strickland. If you haven’t checked it out, definitely get to it. But before you head over that way, check my unofficial gift guide — composed of gear I’ve been obsessing over most of this year.

Over 9,000 people explored parks and public lands by bicycle on September 30 for Bike Your Park Day. Thanks to everyone who participated and shared their story from coast to coast and around the world. Save the date for Bike Your Park Day in 2018 on September 29.

Kaj Kraus, one winner of our 2017 award for young adults, is deaf and building on what he learned at an Adventure Cycling Leadership Training Course, plans to take a group of peers on a bike tour. The Greg Siple Award for Young Adult Bicycle Travel is accepting applications for 2018 through December 31. Apply today and #jumpstartbiketravel.

Cameron Nicholls’ shares a beautiful video of his 13-day New Zealand ride, tip to tip. He raised money for a cancer charity, discovered “survival mode,” and now finds himself intrigued by the prospect of carrying gear on his bike for even more adventures.